Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh is peppered with little hillocks, the most prominent of which is 800 metres high and dominated by the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort. Thought to be over 2000 years old, there are no records remaining apart from the references found in ancient literature. This is the oldest fort in India, its monuments discovered in the jungle and natural ramparts providing incredible viewpoints, which make fantastic spots for lunch.

In the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, the park is about a 4-hour drive from Kanha and features steep ridges, undulating forest and open meadows, interspersed with grassy swamps and valleys. Much of the park is covered in sal forests, which is replaced by mixed forests as you travel to higher elevations. This unspoilt natural habitat is home to some amazing wildlife, which aside from the tigers also includes gaur, sloth bear, leopard, porcupine, wild boar and spotted deer. Amongst this incredible biodiversity you may also find Rhesus macaques, langur, golden jackal, striped hyena, jungle cat and small Indian civet.